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Topic: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm (Read 405 times) previous topic - next topic

Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

The front support arm of the Zip Dee main awning is stuck. I am unable to extend the arm so the awning can only stay at lowest position. That is not very convenient.

I have tried numerous method to unfreeze the arm.

Hot air gun to heat the tube
use liberal amount of pb blaster to soak the tube
use hammer to knock on the tube.
Use tie-down strap to pull tube apart
None of above worked. The tube is still stuck together. I almost give up. Thinking of calling Zip Dee to purchase a new support arm. I quickly eliminate that thought after hearing the few hundred dollar price for the parts.

Here is the list of parts needed for the front main tube

Part list

Item for sale at highskyrvparts.com/

The main tube part number 21600

The inner tube part number 21900

My zip dee support arm still looks decent, just the outer tube and inner tube stick together. If I have proper fixture to fix the tube, I should be able to use brutal force to yank the inner tube out. The challenge is how to securely fix it and how to apply force to pull to tube apart. In a home environment, it is hard to find a secure place. I tried many times, the amount of force I applied to pull the tube can easily break the fixture.

Then I thought about the 2″ inch standard receiver hitch on my cars. I can attach the tube one side each on my car, I should be able to use the car to pull the tube apart. After carefully move the car together, I am able to attach the tube to the receiver hitch using a screw driver







Don't have data for the shear force of the screw driver, but definitely big enough to pull the tube apart.

One car is about 6000 pounds, the other one is about 4000 pounds. So total of 10000 pounds. It is much bigger force than I can apply using my arm.

After blocking the tires of one car, I push the pedal of the other car few time. To my surprise, the tube didn't disengage easily. I have to back up and then accelerate few times to pull the inner tube out.





Some white power came out of the tube after they are separated. I guess these are the things that stick the two tube together. There is no rust on the tube, just these power things. After apply liberal amount of wd-40, the inner tube can be extended easily now.

Supper happy about the result.

Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm
1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

Reply #1 –
pretty ingenious.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

Reply #2 –
I spray my arms with silicone  spray, not WD 40.  Silicone will keep your arms free an easy to extend retract.  Just my 2 cents worth!  Nice thinking on your part to free up the sections.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

Reply #3 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
I spray my arms with silicone  spray, not WD 40.  Silicone will keep your arms free an easy to extend retract.  Just my 2 cents worth!  Nice thinking on your part to free up the sections.
Got it. Will wipe clean WD-40 and apply silicone spray. I have this one.



Thanks!
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1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

Reply #4 –
 I seldom  use my  large awning out full.  I try to spray the rails every so often,  I  looked at this thread and decided it was time  to spray.
    The rails were full of water right to the top. No room for oil .  I loosened the bottom bolts and crappy old water runs out.  Now I'm trying to run safety wire  up the bottom to clean out the bottom area and let the water out. 

Re: Fix the Zip Dee main awning front support arm

Reply #5 –
Necessity is the mother of invention. ^.^d
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD